Fire damages Lake Clear home

February 6, 2012

Firefighters from Saranac Lake, Bloomingdale, Paul Smiths-Gabriels and Lake Placid were called to battle the blaze at 357 county Route 50, the McMaster Road, just after 10:15 a.m.

"When we got there, there were flames and smoke coming through the peak of the roof," Saranac Lake fire Chief Brendan Keough said today. "The fire was basically running across the ridgeline, covering two-thirds of house."

Firefighters got inside the house and knocked down the fire quickly, Keough said; however, the blaze had several stubborn hot spots that took longer to extinguish.

Damage from the fire was contained to the ceiling and the roof, though much of the house sustained water and smoke damage. Keough said the structure will need repairs but is still livable.

"From the outside of the house, you couldn't tell there was a fire," he said. "But if you looked at the ridgeline of the house, you could see the heat damage."

Keough said the cause of the fire "is going to be woodstove related," though he said the investigation is ongoing.

The property is reportedly owned by Archie Blanchard. Keough said he and other family members were home when the fire broke out and were trying to put it out on their own when firefighters first arrived.

"They were using buckets an snow and anything they could get their hands on to put it out," said Jean Blanchard, Archie Blanchard's daughter. "The roof was torn open. There's a lot of water damage. They'll need a new roof."

No injuries were reported.

Saranac Lake firefighters returned to the fire station by 2:05 p.m.

A benefit dinner has been organized to assist the Blanchard family. It will be held Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Saranac Lake Moose Lodge. To donate to the family, contact Jean Blanchard at 327-5365.